Dont forgetyouve lived in *my* flat your whole life.
There you go again. Is this how its going to be now? Will you hold this over me forever?
Emily and Richard had been married for ten years.
Emily had a mother and a stepfather, James, who had raised her since she was three. Her younger brother, Adam, wasnt Jamess biological child eitheronly her younger sister, Charlotte, was. Yet he never treated them differently.
When Emily married Richard and moved in with him, Charlotte was only eight.
Richard got along with James from the start. It was no surpriseJames had a way with people, whether they were children, teenagers, or grown men. He spoke to everyone as an equal, always finding common ground.
Richard had nothing bad to say about his mother-in-law either, but with James, he bonded instantly. He started calling him *Dad*.
His own father was already gone.
His mother had gone to stay with his grandmother when she fell illand never returned. She left the house to her son.
Emily and Richard had renovated it to make it their own. James helped. Emilys mother grumbledshe didnt understand why her daughter would leave the city for a *village*.
Mum, its a *town*. A proper town. There are even five-story buildings in the centre.
Youre in a *cottage*. The outskirts mean its still the countryside
Ten years passed. Their son and daughter were growing up. Adam stayed in London after university, far from home. Charlotte got marriedshe and her husband rented a flat, with her parents covering the cost.
Let them stay with us, James said to his wife.
I dont mind, but we need to talk.
About what?
Why did you change jobs?
Weve been over this. The children are grown, they earn their own money. I cant keep working two jobsnot since the illness. And expenses have gone down.
Charlotte needs a flat.
She has a husband.
Dont forgetyouve lived in *my* flat your whole life.
Here we go again. Will you never let this go?
Choose! You need to work to pay for our daughters flat!
What choice? Work myself to death or what?
Or leave.
You know I cant work like that.
Then Im filing for divorce. Go. You still have that house.
The *house*? Have you *seen* it? What state its in after all these years?
I dont care. You never wanted to sell it.
James silently packed a few essentials.
Take everything, or Ill throw the rest out.
Weve lived most of our lives together. Youre retiring next year. Im sixty-three.
You shouldve married someone younger. I had no choice back thenwho would take a woman with two children? The *baggage* got in the way.
Youre talking about the *children*? Fine, Ill leave. Ill get the rest of my things this week. Just wait
Mum, wheres Dad?
You know hes not your real father.
So? Hes the only father Ive ever had.
Weve separated. Charlotte and her husband are moving in.
*What*? Wheres Dad?
Back in his village.
And Charlotte *agreed* to send him there? How could you?
Why do you care?
Its *heartless*. Does Adam know?
Why tell him? Hes far away. Why are *you* here?
We just stopped by. Were on holidayleaving tomorrow. Were visiting Adam after.
What do you want from me? I need money for renovationsyour sisters pregnant, theyre moving in soon. So dont ask for anything. Did you bring the kids? Im not babysitting.
We dont need anything. Weve got money, the kids are coming with us. Thats not why we came. When were you going to tell us about the divorce?
Why should I? Hes only *Charlottes* real father.
So he was family when he loved and supported us, but not now? Thats *wrong*, Mum
Dont you *dare* judge me! I *sacrificed* for you!
Richard stepped back inside. Hed left when Emilys argument with her mother started, realising James was already gone. Hed barely managed to call himJames never carried his phone. But this time, he answered.
Of course its not my place to judge. *He* was the one who sacrificed. Time will tell.
Emily, lets go. Richard tugged her hand. I found out everything. Kidsin the car. Were going to Grandads.
You *found* him? Lets go.
I did. Had to pry it out of him. He didnt want to say.
Youre brilliant. I never even knew the address. They never told uswe never went there.
James met them by the old house.
Grandad, does a *mean* granny live here? the grandchildren asked excitedly.
No. She stayed in the city.
Emily and Richard laughed. The joke landed, though Jamess mood was bleak. He was glad to see them but couldnt hide his exhaustion.
Why did you come?
How can you *live* here?! We came to see youto fix this. Why didnt you *tell* us?
Why bother you? Your mother said her piece. I understood.
I *understand* her too. But how will you survive here? Its summer nowwhat about winter? Did you bring *anything*?
Everything. Theres nothing herejust old dishes. But Ill manage.
Of course you will. *Pack*. Youre coming home with us.
James, come on. We can get the rest later. Just take what you need.
I cant. Im not alone.
We *see* that. We never got around to getting a dog. The kids have been begging.
Someone dumped himstill a puppy
Bring him too. Hell guard the house.
James didnt crybut the tears fell anyway.
Dad, were leaving for ten days tomorrow. Youre in charge. Heres your room. Theres food, a shop nearby, weve left money. Well see Adam. Just *stay* in touch
Dad, were back! Emily called as soon as they walked in.
Richard and the kids followed.
But no one answered.
Instead of James Emilys *mother* stood there.
Mum, what are you *doing* here? Wheres Dad?!
I came to check on your houseyou were *away*, she said casually. And then I find a *stranger* here! With a *dog*
Where *is* he? Richard demanded.
Charlotte and her husband moved into my flat. Im staying with you. Its closer to townmore convenient.
Do you *hear* me? Wheres your *husband*?
Emily and Richard were stunned.
How should I know? She shrugged. Where he always was.
Listen, *Mum*. Youve overstayed. Were *home* now.
Emily! How *dare* he speak to me like that?
Mum, its time to go. Dont bother unpacking.
They found James back at the old house. He lay on the sofa, the puppy asleep on the rug.
You again? Why? Im fine here. He sat up. Theyve got someone else living there now.
My mother-in-law isnt staying in *my* house. Even if you wont come with usshe *doesnt belong* there.
She disagrees. She freed up the flat for Charlotte.
Lets go. Get in the carthe kids brought gifts. And dont forget the dog. Leave the rest. Well sort it later.
Hes already waitingjumped in himself. Richard said. Emily, Charlottes callingyou left your phone in the car.
Mums probably complained already. Ill ignore it for now.
James stayed with Emily and Richard. His ex-wife never showed her face again. Adam visited *them*, not herthere was no room for his family there.
Weve decided to move, he said one day. Closer to you.
Brilliant.
Buying a flat?
No. I want a *house*. Ill buy land
